Part 23 (1/2)

”Fine.”

”Well. It's been awhile.” I could hear the faintest bit of a smile in Beth's voice. She also sounded very tired. I glanced at my watch; only seven-fifteen.

”Did I wake you?” I asked.

”No. No, just taking a nap. So tired these days. I swear, I'm getting old.” I smiled, but said nothing. ”Listen, I really would like to see you, Em. Is that possible?” I remained silent for a moment, trying to make an impromptu decision. My brain refused to work.

”Okay.” I said, not able to come up with anything more intelligent than that.

”Great.” I heard the sigh of relief, and was surprised. ”When? I leave Thursday.”

”Well, how about lunch? Tomorrow? There's a park outside my building. Say around twelve-thirty?”

”Yes. Absolutely. I'll be there. But, you must let me bring lunch. I know of this great little deli around the cornier-”

”Lonny's? Yes, I know it. I go there a lot. Perhaps a bit too often.” I heard the low chuckle on the other side of the line. I had missed that, then was angry at myself for thinking that. I wanted to drop that part of my life. It was over with. Beth and I were over with.

”Okay, well. I'll see you at twelve-thirty, then.”

”You should have seen how jumpy I was the next day, Beth. I felt like a child.” I chuckled, realizing how stupid it had been. How childish. ”I think Rebecca thought I was on drugs, or something.” I smiled again, thinking about how I had glanced up at the clock, seeing that it was twenty after noon, and had tried to gather myself to go meet my best friend.

”Here you go. I hope you still like turkey?” Beth asked, handing me a six inch sub and a Styrofoam cup filled with Dr. Pepper. I nodded.

”Yup.” She smiled. I studied her. She was so thin. I hardly recognized her at first when I'd seen her standing in the lobby of our office building. Her hair was cut short again, but looked good on her. Her blue eyes were not as bright, but still full of life. I noticed how her clothes hung from her tall frame. I wondered but did not ask.

We made our way out of the building and to the park, finding an empty park bench, and sat and began to eat. Neither of us said much. I had many questions for her, but had packed those away many years before, and did not want to dig them out again. So I didn't.

”How have you been, Em?” she asked, licking a bit of Mayo off her lip.

”Good. I've been doing real good. The firm is wonderful, and I've done well here. I'm due in court tomorrow, actually.” Beth nodded, eyes wide with surprise and pride.

”I always knew you'd do just fine.” she smiled, sipping from her c.o.ke.

”And you?” I asked, taking a bite from the turkey/Swiss sub.

”Can't complain. I live in Oregon now. Who would have guessed, huh? I did, however go home a few months back. You know, just touch roots.” I smiled politely. Part of me wanted to run, get away from my past. I did not need that. I had a new life, a good life with Rebecca, and my career was booming. All this making up for lost time, and catching up was for other people. Not for me. Who needed it?

I rewrapped my sandwich, and put it into its plastic bag, standing from the bench, smoothing my skirt as I did. I tossed the sandwich into the trash can next to the bench, and turned back to Beth.

”Listen, it was nice to see you, Beth. But, I have to get going.” She looked up at me, looking like I'd just hit her with a baseball bat. She quickly composed herself, and stood also.

”Well, I'm glad you were able to get away for a few minutes, anyway.” she also tossed her lunch. We stood there for a few minutes, neither sure what to do. I didn't know why I just didn't say later, and walk back to work. ”Take care, Em.” she said finally with a smile. I smiled back.

”You, too. Goodbye.” I turned to start back, when she called out to me. I stopped, but did not turn around.

”Em? Don't I even rate a hug?” I heard her say, pain behind those words. Slowly I turned around, looked at her. She stood next to the bench, her hands in her pockets, and stared at me, her eyes filled with pain, hope, and what looked to be regret. I took a few steps back toward her until we were little more than a yard apart.

”You want a hug?” I asked, my voice low and even. She nodded.

”Very much so.”